Joseph [personally] harnessed his chariot, and he went to greet his father Israel in Goshen. He presented himself to [his father], and threw himself on his shoulders, weeping on his shoulders for a long time.

Joseph will place... When a man dies, it was the custom for the son to close his eyes (Zohar 226a; Ibn Ezra; Lekach Tov; cf. Shabbath 77a). Or, 'Joseph will take care of your concerns' (Rashbam; Sforno; cf. Job 9:33).

Yemuel In Exodus 6:15 it is also Yemuel. However, in Numbers and Chronicles it is Nemuel. It is possible that the name was changed after they were in Egypt (cf. Sh'muel ben Chofni Gaon; Sekhel Tov; Lekach Tov on Numbers; Ramban ibid.; Teshuvoth Rashba 12, end).

Ohad, Yakhin These two are mentioned in Exodus, but not in Numbers. It appears that these tribes became extinct after the sin at Baal Peor (Numbers 25:9; cf. Rashi on Numbers 26:13; Bereshith Rabbah 99:7). In Chronicles, Yariv is substituted for Ohad and Yakhin. It is possible that the remnants of these two sub-tribes united to form a new group.

Saul He had the same name as King Saul. Some say that this Saul was an ancestor of Zimri (Numbers 25:14; Targum Yonathan; Sanhedrin 82b; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah).

Canaanite woman Some say that this is mentioned because Simeon was the only one of the brothers to marry a Canaanite (Ibn Ezra; Radak). According to some ancient sources, her name was Adiva, and after Saul was born, Simeon took a wife from Aramaea like his other brothers (Yov'loth 34:20,21). According to other sources, Saul was the son of Dinah and Shechem, and he had been adopted by Simeon (Bertenoro; Bereshith Rabbah 80; Rashi; cf. Hirsch). Others translate it as, 'Saul who acted like the son of a Canaanite' (Sanhedrin 82b; Targum Yonathan).

including... There are only 32 names listed here, so Jacob must be included in the tally (Ibn Ezra on Genesis 46:23; Radak). According to others, the total of 33 is completed by Levi's daughter Yochebed (Numbers 26:59; Rashi; Bava Bathra 123a,b).

Serach See Numbers 26:46. Some say that she was Asher's step-daughter (Ramban on Numbers; Ba'aley Tosafoth ibid.). According to Midrashic tradition, she attained immortality for telling Jacob that Joseph was still alive (Targum Yonathan here and on Numbers; Rashi on Numbers; Pirkey Rabbi Eliezer 48).

Dan's sons Although there was only one son, this is a formulaic usage (Bava Bathra143b). See Numbers 26:8, 1 Chronicles 2:7, 2:8, 3:22, 4:13, 4:15, 7:17, 2 Samuel 23:32 (Sh'muel ben Chofni Gaon). However, some say that Dan had other sons who died (Ibn Ezra). Indeed, ancient sources state that Dan had four other sons, Shimon, Asudi, Yocha, and Sh'lomo, but they died the year he came to Egypt (Yov'loth 44:28,29). According to others, he had more sons later (Tosafoth, Bava Bathra 143b, s.v. She-hayu).

Many of the discrepancies may be explained in this manner, since it is possible that the individuals named here died childless, while others were born later and are mentioned in Numbers and Chronicles. Sub-tribes could have also become extinct or changed their names. Obviously, a complete analysis is beyond the scope of these notes.

Chushim Shucham in Numbers 26:42. See 1 Chronicles 7:12. According to Talmudic tradition, Chushim was deaf (Sotah 13a) and extremely powerful (Bereshith Rabbah 93). It was he who killed Esau (Sotah 13a).

Naphtali's sons See Numbers 26:48,49, 1 Chronicles 7:13. According to ancient sources, Naphtali had another son Ivi, who died (Yov'loth 44:31).

We and our fathers... Literally, 'Your servants have been livestock men from our youth until now; also us, also our fathers.'

shepherds are taboo Some say that this was because sheep were sacred to Egyptians, and hence, those who raised them for food were considered an abomination (Rashi; see Genesis 43:32). Others say that the Egyptians were vegetarians (Ibn Ezra). If this was after the Hyksos were driven out, it might have been a reaction against the Hyksos, who were 'shepherd kings' (Josephus, Contra Apion 1:14). Others say that it was a social taboo (Rashbam). According to others, the fact that shepherding was taboo was an advantage, since the Israelites would not be competing with the Egyptians (Josephus, Antiquities 2:7:5).

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